Veteran’s Day Tribute – Sean Reynolds
In Sean Reynolds’ words, “At the end of the day, it’s nice to be thankful for what we have in this country, the safety we all take for granted. The flag represents all of us.” Veterans Day gives all of us the opportunity to pay respect to servicemen and women who have served in the armed forces protecting our country. The first veteran OrthoRehab would like to acknowledge for his service is United States Marine Corporal Sean Reynolds, who has received Physical Therapy in our Whitefish clinic. Sean grew up in Bigfork and enlisted in the Marines in 1983. Sean was stationed in Camp Lejeune, NC, home of 2nd Marine Division and served with the 1st Battalion 6th Marines infantry SOCMAU (Special Operations Capable Marine Amphibious Unit). Sean was attached out to infantry units as a field radio operator, forward observer/fact borne air controller in hostile environments. Additionally, he directed ground level infantry maneuvers and was a forward observer for artillery and mortar fire. Sean served aboard the USS Saipan and was on hand in South America with a show of force during The Iran Contra Affair in El Salvador and worked securing borders in Honduras, Panama, The Orient, Indian Ocean and in multiple other deployments.
In 1986 during Operation Northern Wedding off the frigid coast of Norway, while on USS Saipan, a helicopter with 13 Marines aboard hit the side of the ship and he lost 8 of his fellow marines in the artic waters. The oldest one was 23 years old.
Sean says he lives his life in memory of the 8 who didn’t get to live theirs. Sean tries his best to be honorable and live his life with integrity.
At present, Sean serves as President of Flathead Marines and has worked for Plum Creek/Weyerhaeuser for 31 years. He is married to the love of his life Charlene and the two of them enjoy hunting and fishing together in God’s Country. Sean’s father Al is a retired Sergeant Major and Sean’s brother also served in the Marines as a sniper and First Fast Fleet Anti-Terrorist Security Team.
